Proverbs 14:12. There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
The other morning while sitting at the counter eating breakfast I listened to Nathan reciting his English memorization assignment.
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
-Robert Frost
I began to think of those words and recognize how true they are. Life is about choices, choices about career, choices about a marriage partner, choices about how to live your life – what will be important to you and where you will put your focus and energy. There is no way to get around it. Along the path of life you will regularly come to forks in the road and will be forced to make a decision. Often, like Frost, you may be sorry that you “could not travel both,” but usually one choice eliminates the other path and “yet knowing how way leads on to way,” rarely, if ever, will you come back to that fork again.
In reading Frost’s poem I sensed his inner struggle to know what avenue to take. Maybe they were both good choices and he had to pick one at the exclusion of the other. But he knew that this choice “ages and ages hence” would make all the difference in his life.
We could spend our time speculating on the decision that Robert Frost was facing at the time he wrote this poem or we could look more deeply at our own lives. The Bible tells each individual that they also have a choice to make. There are two paths which are before us and we need to choose well because our decision will make all the difference in our lives.
The most widely travelled path is the path of the world. It is full of seeming excitement and adventure. There are many others on that path cheering for the decision makers, flaunting the ease at which they travel and the false rewards that are available. On this path there is no need for truth. When you do something wrong, just lie about it and no one will ever know. If you want something, then steal it and you will get what you want. Don’t study, cheat! If you make a commitment and lose interest, then just abandon it because, after all, this path is all about you. Integrity is not needed here.
There is another less used trail. It is a small winding path that mostly goes uphill. On this path you will need to make ethical decisions no matter how difficult the results may be. You will often need to work hard and go without when a crisis calls for it. You will need to endure ridicule from others who have chosen the easy way, forgive those who have hurt you, and love those who are unlovely.
To those who only glance at the choices there seems to be an easy answer – choose the easiest path and prosper. But this is not so! On closer examination you will see what the Bible teaches. The way which seems right to a man leads to destruction and death. The pleasures experienced there will only be enjoyed for a short time.
Those who choose the less travelled way are not left alone. There is a heavenly guide walking with them, helping and strengthening them. The trials of this path serve to test their faith and produce endurance. The joys of this path are more greatly appreciated because they are genuine and full of hope. Most importantly, this path leads straight to the kingdom of God in heaven. “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
“Two roads diverged in a wood.” Which one will you choose?
